South Africa's latest power struggle: unpaid bills

November 19, 2014 12:43 PM

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SOWETO South Africa (Reuters) - Zodwa Madiba has not paid an electricity bill in 14 years and is resolute she never will, holding the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to vague promises made in the dying days of apartheid to provide free electricity to all South Africans.

Such defiance is widespread in the sprawling township of Soweto, crucible of the anti-apartheid struggle and home to 1.5 million people who, between them, owe state power utility Eskom 3.6 billion rand ($327 million) in unpaid bills.